Day 1, So Fun!

Hi prayer pals. . .just couldn't resist giving a quick update on the "Where is the Love" week at Cal before going to bed. God is at work. . .and I won't be able to sleep until I share how I've seen Him to be true to His Word in the past 24 hours!

Last night 15 students gathered to poster and pray in preparation for the week. I'm just blown away by how God is using this faith-stretching week to grow our students' commitment to Him on their campus. . .they served alongside us on their day off for crying out loud! It's such a blessing to be "in it together" as we seek to glorify God in this way.

During this morning's staff meeting it was pouring down rain - and even hailing at one point. Probably not ideal conditions for striking up conversations with students on campus. . .or so me of little faith would think. WELL, lots of awesome conversation centered on Christ were started under the overhang of the student union building. Picture a little table with a question mark sign, some candy, and the "Where is the Love" song playing on my ipod as the rain came down. . .this served as our home base for the next couple of hours. Melissa and I got into a great conversation with Gail, she was "tabling" for her organization 2 tables down. We had lots to connect over, she was so thoughtful in response to our survey questions, and rated her desire to know more about God's love at a 5. . .wasn't interested in hearing more about this BUT she'll be out there again tomorrow and I'm praying for another opportunity. Pray with me! Then off to take Kathryn out to share her faith for the first time. Talked to Liz, an atheist, not spiritually interested, but left the conversation with a good taste in her mouth and someone new for us to pray for. Kathryn did a great job and then went on to do the survey on her own with her Jehovah's Witness roommate, she's totally getting it and taking such big steps of faith for the Lord! So, those are just two stories from the afternoon. . .

And as for this evening - decided to help my freshmen Small Group girls put into practice what we learn about in the Bible each week together. . .what it looks like to live out the Gospel well in our own lives and giving others the opportunity to do the same. We were all nervous and things felt a little chaotic as we prayed, paired off and headed into the dorms but we were choosing to step out in faith together, it's so much more fun that way, and trusting the Lord to show up. Well, surprise surprise - He did. :) Lots of cool conversations were had. Frances got to share the Gospel with her Resident Advisor and is excited to continue talking with Him about Jesus. Kelly and I talked with two awesome and very spiritually interested girls. . .they're going to come out to our Weekly Meeting on Thursday. Melissa and Kathryn were simultaneously unashamed and compassionate in 2 challenging conversations. All in all, my favorite part of the evening was getting together afterwards and excitedly sharing about what God did in this dorm tonight. . .and the girls are all excited to do this more often. Couldn't have asked for it to go any better!

Oh -and Dan and I just discovered that both of us didn't get turned down once today as we approached students on campus and in the dorms. . .this is so unique, seems like a real window of opportunity has opened up - and it's so the Lord's doing.

So, as you can see through these little snippets God is at work and answering prayers, keep em coming! Tomorrow will look similar, we're going to be on campus from 11-2 engaging students via this topic of "Where is the Love" and how God plays a role. . .and wants to in each of our lives in a very personal way. Please pray:
- for sunshine
- that students would continue to be open to talking
- for the right questions to ask and the right words in response to what we hear
- that we would continue to take the initiative to share Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit, leaving the results up to God (what we with Cru call the "definition of successful evangelism")
- that God would be glorified in whatever way He sees fit tomorrow.

Thanks so much, I'll try to update again tomorrow. . .but for now good night!